24-3

[Swoop]

Good afternoon, I inherited a 24-3 from my father in law. From what I understand it is limited run number of revolvers. I've read that it was only a thousand revolvers that Lew Horton had acquired from S&W. I have also read that it was some where around 5000. Does anyone have a absolute answer on this? The serial number has the AEL prefix.

Swoop

 

[Swoop]

Good afternoon, I inherited a 24-3 from my father in law. From what I understand it is limited run number of revolvers. I've read that it was only a thousand revolvers that Lew Horton had acquired from S&W. I have also read that it was some where around 5000. Does anyone have a absolute answer on this? The serial number has the AEL prefix.

Swoop

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Man are you in trouble-don't you read the rules-this belongs in the Smith Revolver 1980-present Category. The forum is where we get into trouble talking about goofy stuff that has nothing to do with S&W's.

 

[handejector]

Hi Swoop,
Well, you aren't in trouble, but I will move this to the appropriate forum.
You'll get a lot more data there.

 

[Grayfox]

Depends on the barrel length. 2,625 made with 4" barrels, 4,875 made with 6 1/2" barrels.
The 3" guns are a bit fuzzier. Reports are that originally 1,000 Lou Hortons were made and shipped with a special black S&W holster. Later an additional 4,000 3" guns were produced.
From the serial number, I'd say you had one of these later guns.

I never get tired of posting this picture.

 

[Swoop]

Thank you for the information. The 24-3 that I have doesa in fact have the 3" barrel w/ black holster from S&W. The book I have states that only a thousand were produced between 1983 and 1984 and came with the black holster. Then through research I have read that there were possibly more than that produced. I will upload a picture later with its holster.

Brian

 

[toroflow1]

Didn't the black holster come with the 624 3" (stainless version)? I ask due to having one of these holsters in the original S&W bag that says it was for the "624 stainless 3" Combat". And, I had thought that there was a tan colored holster for the 24 3" guns.

I believe there were 5,000 of the 24-3 3" guns made. The 3" guns seem to be alot more prevelant than the 4" or 6.5".

 

[kritter]

the first 1000 did come with a black holster. if the dealer included it, often they didn't..and sold it separately..this is what they looked like..

and the gun looked like this.....

and i've seen them in both style boxes.. two piece blue boxes and the one piece flip top box..

 

[Grayfox]

The first 624s did come with a black S&W holster. However it was a different style than those that came with the 24-3s. The 624 holster was more of a high ride pancake style rig.

 

[toroflow1]

Originally posted by Grayfox:
The first 624s did come with a black S&W holster. However it was a different style than those that came with the 24-3s. The 624 holster was more of a high ride pancake style rig.

Thanks for that Grayfox...I've got two of the black high ride pancake style. Was the original 24 holster black or a different color?

Also, I have a pair of 24-3 3", one I bought new in 1984 is in a one-piece box, serial #ALA33xx; and the other is in a two piece box, serial #AEJ23xx. The change from two piece to one piece boxes must have occured somewhere in between those serial #s.

 

[M28]

The only color I've seen in either style holster has been black.

As far as the quantity of the three inchers, although the 1,000 figure does appear in print occasionally, 5,000 is the real deal. One of the members here has a factory letter stating as such.

Brian~